Animation

The Process

Workshop

This is where the project begins. All we need to start is an idea, a concept, a brief or even just a problem that needs solving.

We brainstorm collaboratively to come up with a comprehensive brief and moodboard from which to base the project upon.

If the client is supplying any assets (scripts, voiceovers, audio, moodboards, etc) we would need to have these at this stage.

If the budget is really tight then we might streamline this phase to a phone/Skype call.

Storyboard

The story is King! By now we should have the script or voiceover ready, we then sketch out the key scenes in the video and make sure that any voiceover or script works with the visual direction of the video.

The result is not too dissimilar to a pencil sketched comic strip. The client will be able to feedback at this stage – the number of revisions is reliant on budget and will be pre-agreed before the project starts.

Design / Pre-Production

We now have a comprehensive brief, a moodboard & a storyboard. In live-action, we would source and organise all the various moving parts for the shoot. e.g. actors, locations, equipment, crew, etc.

We create an accurate schedule and an updated budget if the scope of the project has changed.

In animation, this is where we design all the elements, models, characters, colour palettes and style frames. In animation, the budgets will not change as often or as much as in live-action because there are less external components.

Animatic

An animatic is a rough cut of the video. In animation, it will have a rough idea of timings and cuts but will not have all the individual animations and will also not have the final look & feel.

Note that this will not include any artistry when it comes to animation. E.g. a character might slide into a room rather than walk properly. The goal of this stage is to get a really good idea of timing and flow.

In live-action, this phase is about adding all the frames to the storyboard in detail. This includes art direction, lighting concepts & a detailed script.

Production

Production is where the majority of our work is done. In animation, this is animating, rendering, colour correcting, motion graphics, matching to audio, etc.

In live action, this is the filming of all the pre-planned shots as well as all the post production work.

The client will be able to feedback at this stage as well. The number of revisions will again be dependent on budget and be pre-agreed.

Final Delivery

Once everything is signed off and final payments are made, the videos will be delivered in all the pre-agreed formats.